My Princess Moment

Cate and Margaret love the colors pink and purple, high heels, lipstick, dresses, skirts, bows, ribbons, sparkles, glitter, and fancy nancy books,  - all which in their mind = "I'm a PRINCESS!" What is it about Princesses and girls (or women for that matter)? From the moment we are born we are thrown into the world of Princesses and are always on the hunt for our Prince Charming. From an early age all of us were exposed to the lovely Disney Princesses.

There is Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Belle - the list goes on and on. I guess there is something about looking beautiful - being dressed up - and feeling like the belle of the ball. I had my moment last Friday when I had my first wedding dress fitting. I took the girls with me and I wish I would have videotaped it. There were many ohhs and ahhs and "you look beautiful". It was so much fun to have them there - something we can talk about years down the road. I did feel beautiful and I LOVE my dress (even more than I did when I bought it at the store months ago). It fits like a glove and makes me feel like a Princess. I'm so excited for the big day. 

Enjoy your Monday! Tell me about your Princess MOMENT! 

Check out these adorable ballerinas. 

My Latest Obsessions

I love these baby announcements. Letterpress and the perfect black/white photo! 

Adorable Bowling Party invitations. 

Cute lace bowl. 

Cool and hip new online magazine Lonny. 

Fun flats. 

Love these pumpkin cards. I've LOVED looking around on Etsy lately - so many amazing things on this site. 

Very cute tote - would be perfect for a bride (via A Cup of Joe). 

I love Minted for unique cards/invitations by independent designers. They just sent an email with these really great new seasonal Save the Dates. Awesome and so different. 

Adorable little wedding toppers. Should I get a set made for our wedding? Hmmm. 

I tried this Cincinnati chili Wednesday night from Cooking Light. It ROCKS! So yummy. The addition of chocolate and cinnamon (that is what makes it Cincy-style and the chili on top of spaghetti noodles) = YUMMY. This version is very healthy! 

Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Peter is off to Vegas with his high school friends for his bachelor party. I think it is hilarious that this decision was made after we saw "The Hangover." I had mine in August and all my college friends came to Chicago for the weekend. We had a blast - nothing like a GIRLS WEEKEND! My friends planned the perfect weekend - spa, great food, good times and lots of laughs. 

Where did bachelor and bachelorette parties originate? It sounds like the bachelor party originated in the late 1800s. A quote from poet Percy Shelley testifies to the spirit of a time period when the newly-married often enough did abandon their less-respectable comrades: "When a man marries, dies, or turns Hindu, his best friends hear no more of him," Shelley lamented in a letter. One article states that the "The Bachelorette party is not only a send-off for the guest-of-honor, but a celebration of female bonding and treasuring those friendships that got us to where we are today." In the UK they call bachelorette parties Hen or Stagette Parties. Check out this "Hen Party" video. Pretty funny. 

I do feel that my bachelorette party was a celebration of female bonding and treasuring those relationships. My bachelorette party attendee list was made up of my core group of gals from college and my best friend from high school and some close friends that I have made during my time in Chicago. 

Well, from Sassy and Single I go - to Marvelous and Married (in 44 days)! 

One on One Time

Ever since I was a little girl I LOVED spending one on one time with my Mom. I cherished every moment together with her (alone) without my other sisters. There is something about getting that one on one attention -- that I even crave today (at age 31). When all four of us (my 3 sisters and my mom) get together we are constantly vying for my Mom's attention. 

Every once in awhile I get that much wanted/needed one on one time with my Mom. I LOVE it. A few years ago I flew out to Arizona to see her for a weekend (alone) and we spent a weekend together in Sedona. We had the best time - we went shopping and chatted over nice dinners out.  

On Monday I volunteered at Cate's school. The night before I told her that I would be coming into her classroom and I would be helping them with their literacy center. She was ecstatic and so excited to introduce me to all of her kindergarten friends. That morning at breakfast we talked about it and she was beaming. I was thrilled I was able to come to her classroom (alone - without her younger sister). It reminded me of the one on one time that I craved (and still want) with my Mom. 

I hope to be able to spend one on one time with each of the girls - especially because I know how important it is and how meaningful it can be. 

Our First Song

46 Days to GO!

So, Peter has put together a list of options for our First Song (he has them all in a spreadsheet - hilarious). We haven't decided on our song yet. Below is our compiled list - we have had a blast playing them the last few nights! So fun. Some are a bit more difficult to dance to - that is for sure!

I would LOVE TO HEAR COMMENTS/THOUGHTS BELOW!!! Or VOTE.

I know my favorites but would love to hear from all of you! Send a comment or VOTE to the right of this post. (Umm...Peter doesn't know that I listed out these songs - so SHHH!).

Drift Away by Doby Gillis

My Sweet Love by Joe Panzetta (one of Peter's good friend's from college)

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours by Stevie Wonder

Harvest Moon by Neil Young

Into the Mystic by Van Morrison

Into your Arms by Lemonheads

Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys

Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg

Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me by Mel Carter

What Light by Wilco

Woman by John Lennon

I Can't Help Falling In Love With You by Elvis Presley

You Send Me by Sam Cooke

Songbird by Eva Cassidy/Fleetwood Mac

Let Your Love Flow by Bellamy Brothers

Reunions...

Saturday night we had Peter's 25th Bearcat (grade school) reunion. Most of his formerclassmates live in the Chicagoland area however, a few live out of town. For instance, one of his best friends, Sarah Burke Man (in pic above) lives in New Jersey. She is a doll. 

I love reunions of all kinds. You get to reconnect, relive old stories and chat about where you are today. My college buddies live all over the US and one lives in London and we have several "reunions" every year (usually due to someone getting married, etc.). Unlike Peter, I did not grow up in one town so I do not have friends from age 5 and up. My family moved around several times and my core group of friends stem from college (and my best friend from high school). I don't have the layer upon layer of folks effect = "tom went to high school with jill's brother's cousin's girlfriend's sister who is now married to tom's sister's best friend's boyfriend from college). A true life example of Six degrees of Kevin Bacon = Peter. It was fun to hear people talk about Peter from age 5 until now - sounds like not much has changed - was adorable and "salt of the earth" then and is still adorable.

I look at the girls and think about the fact that they will be growing up with the kids in their class - and someday they will be attending their own reunions. And I'll get to chat with them about their classmates and find out what all of them are doing. It will be an exciting journey!

My Latest Obsessions

Interesting crocheted jewelry. 

Peter and I received these cute wooden piglet and rabbit serving bowls as an engagement gift. They are adorable and we get many compliments on them. Love the NapaStyle website as well. Very cute stuff. 

Love these lace flats. Adorable. Would look perfect w/jeans! 

LOVE LOVE LOVE this 2010 calendar. And of course it is letterpress (my fave)! In LOVE. And how clever - once the month is over you can turn it over and use it as a postcard. 

I definitely want to see the movie The Invention of Lying. Jonah Hill makes me laugh so hard! It opens this Friday.  

Love this t-shirt! Super cute. 

Adorable purse from Orla Kiely. I LOVE all of her stuff but this is perfect for all those who love tea! This "obsession" is for a friend I had dinner w/last PM. You know who you are! And OMG I love this wallpaper by Orla as well. Okay, and this flower blossom lamp shade - love it! 

I'm OBSESSED with our wedding photographers Brett and Kiri of Pen Carlson Photography. I immediately fell in love with their work (and them - as they are so cute - husband/wife team). When you know you know, right?! Best friend Sarah used them a few weekends ago at her wedding at The Drake. Here is a sneak peek of her pics. Brett and Kiri took our pics for our e-session which was a blast! 

Wishing all of you a FABULOUS weekend! We have a dinner party Friday evening and then Peter's 25th grade school reunion on Saturday. Deets Monday! Fun, fun!